Dr. Ernie Ward, DVM, is a 1992 graduate of the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine. He is the owner and chief-of-staff of Seaside Animal Care in Calabash, North Carolina, which received the prestigious National Practice of Excellence in 1999.

Dr. Ward has been instrumental in bringing senior pet care guidelines to general veterinary practices, and in 2000, was appointed to the Veterinary Economics Editorial Advisory Board. His chart for drug monitoring guidelines is found in most small animal veterinary hospitals in the U.S. and Canada.

Dr. Ward is a frequent author and lecturer and in 2004 was awarded the Speaker of the Year Award from the North American Veterinary Conference. His latest book, Chow Hounds, was published in 2010.

In 2005, Ernie founded the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention to help raise awareness of the dangers of excess weight in dogs and cats.

Dr. Ward has been featured on Animal Planet and regularly appears on numerous television and radio talk shows and newscasts around the country, including the Today show, CNN, Nightline and the Rachael Ray Show.

When he’s not helping four-leggers stay healthy, Dr. Ward, a certified personal trainer, USA Triathalon Certified Coach and Ironman finisher, can be found helping humans achieve their personal fitness goals. Dr. Ward shares his home with his wife, two daughters, his beach mutt Sandy, and two feisty felines, Freddie and Itty Bitty Kitty.

The information contained in this website is for illustrative purposes only and coverage under any pet insurance policy is expressly subject to the conditions, restrictions, limitations, exclusions and terms of the policy documentation issued by the insurer. Availability of this program is subject to each state’s approval and coverage may vary by state.

iHeartMedia and associated personalities are paid endorsers of Petplan. Petplan insurance policies are administered by Fetch Insurance Services, LLC (Fetch Insurance Agency, LLC in Michigan), d/b/a Petplan (Petplan Insurance Agency, LLC in California) and underwritten by XL Specialty Insurance Company, which carries the rating of A+ by S&P, and AGCS Marine Insurance Company, a member of the Allianz Group, (rated A+ A.M. Best). Coverages may not be available in all jurisdictions. Information accurate as of August 2017.